The Defense Arts Center will host a party to honor Shihan Mike Whiteside and to celebrate his over 50 years of dedication to the martial arts.
Saturday October 29th
6:00 – 10:00? PM
Pot Luck: please share your favorite dish
Casual attire
Anyone is welcome to offer words of gratitude
On this same day, Sensei Whiteside will offer a special workout for the Saturday Intermediate 11:00 – 12:15 (Green and Brown belt) class and the Advanced (Brown and Black belt) class 12:15 – 1:30 pm; students are welcome to overlap classes. All are welcome to attend. No charge.
As most of you know sensei Whiteside has moved up the hill to his dream home in Big Bear and is no longer teaching at the DAC dojo on a regular basis. Since 1995 the USKL/DAC has been privileged and honored to have sensei Whiteside as one of the leading and influential Shotokan instructors in our dojo history. Join us to help celebrate in Sensei Whiteside’s passion of learning, training and teaching in this art that we all share and love. Please help pass this news on the others who are out of our contact radar who may be friends or have trained with or under sensei Mike Whiteside.
PS: Sorry no dojo Halloween party this year
SHIHAN Mike Whiteside
ROKUDAN (6th Degree Black Belt)
SHOTOKAN KARATEDO
Shihan Mike Whiteside began his Karate training (at age 16) in 1967 under one of the JKA's finest teachers, Master Ozawa. Shihan Whiteside received his Shodan (first degree black belt) in 1970, and went on to receive his Sandan (third degree) in 1993 from the West Coast Shotokan Karate Association founder, Sensei Edwin Hamile.
Sensei Whiteside joined the USKL in 1995 and in 2004 was bestowed the rank of 5th Dan. Shihan Whiteside has had the opportunity to train under such karate legends as Kancho Kanazawa, Sensei Enzo Ortega and Hediteka Nishiyama. In Oct. 2015 Sensei Whiteside had the honor to be tested by Shihan George Sasano (8th Dan JKA) of Hawaii and Shihan Dean Pickard (founder USKL) Sensei Whiteside was awarded the rank of ROKUDAN (6th Degree Black Belt).
Shihan Whiteside is a firm believer that basics are the foundation of everything. His knowledge and command of the subtleties of Shotokan are a testament to his many years and dedication to his art and to living and sharing the noble path of Budo - the "Martial Way".
Married to his wonderful wife Barbara, Shihan Whiteside has four children, one of whom he has promoted to Black Belt. Shihan Whiteside enjoys sailing, astronomy, fishing, hiking, and Sci-Fi fantasy shows, especially the Dr. Who series.
